Business Details
28 Years
experience
Elford Fine Art Gallery in Tavistock
Elford Fine Art is a specialist art gallery established over 25 years ago by Philip and Rosemary, a husband-and-wife team with extensive backgrounds in television and radio. Our expertise lies in curating high-quality British and Continental oil paintings, watercolours, and drawings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, alongside works by contemporary artists. We pride ourselves on our deep knowledge of regional art movements, particularly the Newlyn School and Dartmoor landscapes, and maintain memberships with prestigious organisations including BADA, LAPADA, and CINOA. Our service combines academic rigour with a personal approach, offering clients detailed provenance research and tailored advice. Based in Tavistock, Devon, we operate from a historic building commissioned by the Seventh Duke of Bedford, serving both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers.Our collection includes rare Tunbridge Ware and marine art, reflecting our commitment to preserving artistic heritage. We provide expert appraisal services, exhibition access, and art consultation, ensuring each piece meets exacting standards of condition and historical significance. Our 25th-anniversary exhibition highlighted Cornish art colonies and works by Frederick John Widgery, underscoring our dedication to regional artistic excellence. We maintain transparent practices, with all acquisitions accompanied by comprehensive documentation. Our gallery's location in Devon's cultural heartland allows us to bridge historical appreciation with contemporary art appreciation.
Services
Art Sales
Gallery Exhibitions
Art Consultation
Appraisal Services
Provenance Research
Art Restoration
Collectors Items Sales
Marine Art Curation
Regional Art Specialisation
Contemporary Painting Representation
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of specialist art curation experience
- Our team maintains memberships with three international art dealer associations
- We provide detailed provenance research for every artwork
- Our gallery occupies a historic Duke of Bedford-commissioned building
- We curate the UK's largest private Tunbridge Ware collection
Associations and certifications
- BADA
- LAPADA
- CINOA
What people say
Outstanding provenance research
Expert regional knowledge
Professional appraisal service
Beautifully curated collection
Excellent client communication
Services
Art Sales
We offer an expertly curated selection of British and European paintings from the 19th century to contemporary works. Each piece undergoes rigorous authentication and condition assessment before inclusion in our collection. Our inventory includes marine art, landscape paintings, and genre scenes with particular emphasis on Cornish and Devonshire artists.
Gallery Exhibitions
Our Tavistock gallery hosts regular exhibitions featuring works from renowned art colonies like Newlyn and St Ives. The 25th-anniversary exhibition showcased masterpieces from Cornwall's artistic heritage, including pieces by Frederick John Widgery. Exhibitions combine historical context with educational value for collectors and enthusiasts.
Art Consultation
We provide tailored advice for building or expanding art collections, combining market knowledge with historical expertise. Our consultation service includes provenance verification, investment potential analysis, and interior placement guidance. Clients benefit from our decades of experience in the art trade.
Appraisal Services
Our professional appraisal service covers authentication, condition assessment, and market valuation. We utilise extensive art historical resources and market data to provide accurate valuations for insurance, sale, or collection management purposes. All appraisals include detailed documentation.
Provenance Research
We conduct thorough provenance investigations for each artwork, tracing ownership history and contextual background. This includes archival research, artist biographical analysis, and historical significance assessment. Our research enhances the value and authenticity of every piece we offer.
People
Philip Elford
Co-Founder
With over 25 years in the art trade, Philip combines broadcasting expertise with deep knowledge of British painting traditions. He specialises in 19th-century marine art and Cornish school provenance research.
Rosemary Elford
Co-Founder
Rosemary brings extensive experience in art market analysis and collection management. Her expertise lies in contemporary painting representation and regional art historical context, particularly Dartmoor landscapes.
Questions
What types of paintings do you specialise in?
We focus on British and European oil paintings, watercolours, and drawings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, with particular expertise in Cornish art colonies and Dartmoor landscapes.
How can I view your current collection?
Our gallery in Tavistock, Devon, hosts regular exhibitions, and our online galleries showcase available works. Appointments can be arranged for private viewings outside regular hours.
Do you offer art appraisal services?
Yes, we provide professional appraisal services including authentication, condition assessment, and market valuation with comprehensive documentation.
What are your gallery hours?
We're open Friday and Saturday 11:00-15:30 during exhibition periods. Outside these times, we operate by appointment only.
Can you help with art provenance research?
Yes, we conduct thorough provenance investigations including archival research and ownership history tracing for all artworks we offer.
Do you sell contemporary art?
Yes, we represent several contemporary painters alongside our historical collection, focusing on those continuing traditional techniques and regional themes.
